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Required Summer ReadingAugust 31, 2006 Memorial Day has come and gone, which can only mean one thing: Summer is upon is, and with it comes vacations and weekend getaways to the beach. But that doesn't mean communicators' minds are turned off to learning new things that can better their business acumen upon their return to the office. With that, courtesy of the 2008 Counselors Academy Book Club, here is the first of four book reviews that should inspire your summer reading.Reviewed by Monty Hagler, APR President, RLF mhagler@rlfcommunications.com Book name, title, author, publisher Partners In Command: George Marshall and Dwight Eisenhower in War and Peace, Mark Perry, Penguin Press, 2007 What is the book about? Partners In Command focuses on the relationship between George Marshall and Dwight D. Eisenhower, and how they made an extraordinarily effective team both in WWII and in the subsequent efforts to bring peace and stability to the world. Why did you pick this book? A client gave me the book, which was given to all the members of her company’s executive team by the CEO. What are the key take-aways? Success is a combination of many things – hard work, long-term vision, luck, intelligence, commitment, building a team with complimentary skills, perseverance. There are very few overnight successes, and this book is a glimpse into how the efforts and vision of two individuals shaped the world. One radical or unexpected idea you really liked. I was struck by how Dwight Eisenhower, even after he had been appointed Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe, continued to communicate with former boss and mentor to not only keep him in the loop, but gain his knowledge and insights. These were both individuals who did not let their ego or pride interfere with soliciting advice and seeking the best options to deal with very difficult challenges. One thing you disagreed with. The chain of command in the military is very structured, very strict. This is particularly true in a time of war. While that structure has many benefits, it also has serious drawbacks in organizations that need to be nimble and responsive. A key lesson for business leaders is to learn where the lines need to be drawn, or redrawn, accomplishing objectives. Thumbs up/thumbs down: Do you recommend it? I absolutely recommend Partners In Command. It is interesting on several different levels – history, leadership, teamwork – and it is a fascinating portrait of two key leaders who shaped our world.
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